Serial follow-ups of nerve conduction studies in diabetic patients

ABSTRACT

We analyzed 177 diabetic patients(80 males, 97 females) with the nerve con duction study (NCS) performed twice or more at the interval of more than one year in Severance Hospital from Jan 1, 1984 through Dec 31, 1994. We conclude as follows 1)The NCS follow-ups showed that diabetic polyneuropathy was getting worsened electrophysiologically as time goes by. 2)The NCS revealed that the earlier change was noticed on the distal portion of sensory nerve fiber, though diabetes was known to cause a damage to both sensory and motor nerve fibes. 3)Considering that the NCS follow-ups revealed earlier and more marked changes in amplitude than in nerve conduction velocity, axonal degeneration seems to be more responsible for the pathogenesis of diabetic polyneuropathy rather than segmental demyelination.